TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: The recent surge in COVID-19 cases in India has been linked to two newly identified strains, KP.1 and KP.2.
EXPLANATION:
- Despite their high transmissibility, these strains have not led to an increase in hospitalizations or severe cases, according to the Union Health Ministry.
- This situation is being closely monitored by health authorities to ensure that the public health response remains effective and timely.
Evolution of the KP.1 and KP.2 Strains
- The KP.1 and KP.2 strains have evolved from the JN.1 Omicron variant, a variant of SARS-CoV-2 that has been widely prevalent in many parts of the world.
- These strains exhibit high transmissibility, which has contributed to the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases across several states in India.
- As of August 5, 2024, there have been 824 reported cases of the KP mutant strain, with Maharashtra leading with 417 cases, followed by West Bengal with 157 cases, and Uttarakhand with 64 cases.
Clinical Impact of the KP Strains
- Although the KP.1 and KP.2 strains are highly transmissible, they have not been associated with increased severity of illness.
- The symptoms reported, such as fever, cold, cough, sore throat, body ache, and fatigue, are generally mild and have not led to a significant rise in hospitalizations.
- Union Health Minister emphasized that the government has taken appropriate measures to monitor these new strains and has assured the public that the situation is under control.
Government’s Surveillance and Monitoring Efforts
- The Indian government has implemented a robust surveillance system to monitor the spread of these new strains.
- The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), a critical component of the National Health Mission, plays a pivotal role in this effort.
- The IDSP is tasked with the surveillance of over 40 epidemic-prone diseases across all 36 states and Union territories in India.
- This programme ensures that continuous watch and monitoring are maintained for emerging and re-emerging disease situations, including the current surge in COVID-19 cases.
- In addition to surveillance, the Department of Health Research has sanctioned 163 Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories across India to enhance the country’s capacity for virus detection and research.
- This network of laboratories is crucial in identifying and understanding new variants of the virus as they emerge.
Measures to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure
- In response to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the Indian government has taken several steps to bolster healthcare infrastructure across the country.
- The Centre has issued advisories to state governments, urging them to ensure adequate testing in all districts, in line with the established testing guidelines.
- States have been advised to maintain constant vigilance over the COVID-19 situation, with a particular focus on genome sequencing of positive samples.
- The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing (INSACOG) consortium plays a central role in this genomic surveillance effort.
- INSACOG, which comprises 67 laboratories and over 400 sentinel sites, monitors genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) serves as the lead agency for INSACOG, coordinating the flow of samples from states to Regional Genome Sequencing Labs (RGSLs) and ensuring timely feedback to state authorities.
Insights from Genome Sequencing
- Genome sequencing is a critical tool in understanding the spread and evolution of the virus.
- Until June 15, 2024, India had sequenced 3,36,892 (3.36 lakh) SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes, with 3,01,451 (3.01 lakh) of these sequenced by INSACOG.
- This extensive sequencing effort has provided valuable insights into the emergence of new strains, enabling the government to tailor its public health response more effectively.
Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genome Sequencing (INSACOG)
- It is a national initiative established in 2020, by the Government of India to monitor and analyze genomic variations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- This multi-agency consortium includes 54 laboratories and is coordinated by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- INSACOG’s primary objectives are to:
- Monitor genomic variations of SARS-CoV-2 through systematic sequencing.
- Analyze the relationship between these genomic variations and epidemiological trends, which aids in understanding transmission dynamics and outbreak patterns.
- Investigate clinical correlations, including the impact of variants on disease severity and vaccine efficacy
